Bristol City boss Derek McInnes has handed Matthew Bates an opportunity to resurrect his career at Ashton Gate.

The former Middlesbrough defender has signed a short-term contract until January 16 after proving his fitness in training during the past fortnight.

Laid low by the latest in a series of serious knee injuries in April, Bates has not played a competitive game since the end of last season.

But McInnes, desperate to bolster a defence that has yet to keep a clean sheet this season, is prepared to take a chance on the Stockton-born player.

A free agent after leaving the Riverside in the summer, Bates was expected to be named in the squad for this afternoon's home npower Championship clash against Blackpool.

McInnes said: "Matthew has proved his fitness and is a quality addition to our squad.

"He's had a poor time with injuries but has demonstrated the strength to come back on each occasion.

"We were more than happy to take a look at somebody with his quality and he has shown his fitness, including playing in a practice match in the week.

"He offers us a good option and is a good person too. It's a low-risk deal until mid-January, which gives him an opportunity to stake a claim for an extended stay if all goes well."

Troubled by a chronic knee condition early in his career, Bates made 76 appearances for Middlesbrough during the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons, establishing himself as one of the best central defenders in the English second tier.

He featured in the Boro team that won 1-0 at Ashton Gate in December last year, but again succumbed to injury at the end of the season.

His contract expired soon afterwards and, although Boro boss Tony Mowbray offered him a new deal earlier this month, the former England youth international decided to look for a new club.

Having trained with City's first team squad for nearly a fortnight, Bates further proved his fitness when playing for 45 minutes in a practice match at City's Failand training headquarters on Thursday.

McInnes met with the defender's representatives on Friday and decided to offerhim an initial deal for the next two months.

Comments

@manchestergas:
It could be worse.We could be THREE points away from Non League Football, playing in front of 2,200 people and then have two players sent off including your captain.
You know what they say about people in Gas, sorry,Glass houses.

90 Minutes and was MOM.
Organised the back four and made sure Fonts had his best game of the season.One goal conceded from the penalty spot
No signing on fee.Reasoable wages and a two month trial for a player that played 42 games for Boro last season.
Worth a go IMHO now where's this other player, Del??